Also dramatically (if optimistically) being called a "BT Accelerator" by some ISPs, this is BT/Openreach's proprietary easy-fit adaptor block intended to deal with the possible DSL signal degradation caused by unwanted RF contamination introduced onto the line pair by the ringer wire in extension cabling and RF problems with the actual exchange line pair.
Note that if you're already using, or plan to be using, one of our Modified BT ADSL Adaptors you don't need this - those already generate their own ringer signal internally on a clean terminal for the job.
Cleaning the ringer wire (also called the "bell wire" - from Way Back when telephones did in fact have actual tring-a-ling bells) RF issues, if present, is the primary point of the iPlate - but note that this unit also uses a second, separate, more specialised choke on the incoming exchange line pair itself to attempt to tackle external RF noise introduced onto the line between the subscriber's premises and the area BT cabinet. This is certainly very rare, given that BT infrastructure copper cables are almost always well buried, shielded, and consist of hundreds of line wire pairs, all themselves in bulk twisted format. But offenders like electric fencing, electrically noisy industrial motors and machinery etc. can potentially produce enough RF to affect parts of the frequency range where ADSL operates. This second filter can help negate this. Ironically it's the more expensive and cunning component, but the problem it's designed to fix is rarely actually present in the real world, particularly in domestic environments, and given the nature of the probable causes, it's likely to be unpredictable and intermittent. Ultimately though, you just don't know until you try it! |
